Cost of Living in Sao Tome - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $792 (excluding rent), and $1,104 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,855 (excluding rent), and $2,634 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.88 STN 417

$11.36 STN 239

$28.4 STN 596

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.05 STN 988

$29.4 STN 617

$58.8 STN 1,235

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.65 STN 203

$7.94 STN 167

$11.35 STN 238

Cappuccino

$1.76 STN 36.86

$1.17 STN 24.57

$2.33 STN 48.93

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 STN 40.88

$1.69 STN 35.5

$2.37 STN 49.7

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.18 STN 24.84

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.64 STN 34.36

$0.58 STN 12.08

$1.83 STN 38.52

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.84 STN 38.71

$1.37 STN 28.77

$2.05 STN 43.06

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 STN 28.13

$0.92 STN 19.38

$1.73 STN 36.25

White Bread (500g)

$1.04 STN 21.81

$0.65 STN 13.68

$1.53 STN 32.07

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.32 STN 48.82

$1.75 STN 36.77

$2.91 STN 61.1

Eggs

$4.94 STN 104

$2.72 STN 57.1

$5.2 STN 109

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.53 STN 431

$17.6 STN 370

$23.47 STN 493

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$20.55 STN 432

$17.62 STN 370

$23.49 STN 493

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$25.22 STN 530

$23.28 STN 489

$29.09 STN 611

Apples (1kg)

$4.5 STN 94.5

$3.37 STN 70.8

$5.63 STN 118

Banana (1kg)

$1.14 STN 23.85

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 STN 87.6

$3.57 STN 75.1

$4.77 STN 100

Tomato (1kg)

$3.55 STN 74.6

$2.96 STN 62.2

$4.15 STN 87.1

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 STN 53.9

$2.28 STN 47.86

$2.85 STN 59.9

Onion (1kg)

$2.09 STN 43.83

$1.19 STN 25.05

$2.97 STN 62.4

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.7 STN 14.75

$0.59 STN 12.4

$0.82 STN 17.31

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.96 STN 41.16

$0.36 STN 7.46

$3.52 STN 74

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.35 STN 49.38

Wine (Bottle)

$9.41 STN 198

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.27 STN 26.59

$1.13 STN 23.73

$1.41 STN 29.66

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.29 STN 27.09

$0.92 STN 19.23

$1.6 STN 33.5

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.2 STN 25.28

$1.03 STN 21.61

$1.37 STN 28.74

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$14.25 STN 299

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.66 STN 34.79

$1.38 STN 28.95

$1.87 STN 39.37

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.5K STN 493.6K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$35.33 STN 742

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.1 STN 1,493

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.56 STN 768

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$29.38 STN 617

Cinema Ticket

$20.54 STN 431

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$19.05 STN 400

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$344 STN 7,231

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$235 STN 4,930

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$656 STN 13.8K

$456 STN 9,585

$856 STN 18K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 STN 10.9K

$347 STN 7,290

$694 STN 14.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$332 STN 6,963

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.38

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Sao Tome - Frequently Asked Questions

On balance, Sao Tome offers a relaxed lifestyle with approachable everyday costs, especially for local services and casual dining. Imported goods and resort-area prices can push numbers higher, but street food, markets, and fresh seafood keep daily expenses comfortable. Utilities and internet are typically reliable, though apartment quality drives variation. Housing ranges from compact city flats to seaside rentals, with proximity to the capital influencing demand. For newcomers, a phased stay helps you sense neighborhood rhythms and budgeting needs. Cost of Living in Sao Tome, Sao Tome And Principe serves as a useful baseline for planning longer stays. Tip: Map out a month of typical expenses before signing a lease or committing to a longer stay.

Daily life centers on a mix of local markets, casual dining, and accessible transport. Housing options tend to be modest and straightforward; rentals are often found via word of mouth, local listings, or short-term stays that let you compare neighborhoods. Food is rich and affordable when you shop at markets or fish docks, with a balance between cooking at home and picking up meals. Local transport includes shared taxis and small buses, while walking works well in the compact core. To keep errands manageable, build a small routine around banks, pharmacies, and post offices. Sao Tome, Sao Tome And Principe living cost influences how you pace purchases and plan your week. Tip: Start with a couple of weeks in one district to gauge fit.

Quality of life in Sao Tome blends climate, pace, and community to shape a budgeting framework. Build a simple, flexible plan around housing, food, transport, and occasional experiences. Favor neighborhoods with access to markets, reliable internet, and walkable errands; consider hillside areas for cooler evenings and ocean views, or coastal districts for shorter commutes. Seasonality affects energy use and groceries; plan for wetter periods when movement can be slower and some goods are less predictable. Save by cooking at home, buying seasonal produce, and using local coworking spaces for affordable workdays. Tip: Set a monthly flexible reserve for unexpected repairs or travel opportunities.